reister



(No Model L; A. REISTER.

. SIDE SADDLE. No. 255,334. g Patented Mar. 21,1882.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LEWIS A. REISTER, or 011160, CALIFORNIA.

SIDE-SADDLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. $5,334, dated March 21, 1882. Application filed October 19, I881. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, LEWIS A. REIS'IER, of Chico, county of Butte, State of California, have invented an Improved Side-Saddle; and I hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description thereof.

My invention relates to a new and improved side-saddle; and it consists in sundry details of construction, as hereinafter fully described and specifically claimed, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a View of the metal tree. Fig. 2 is a left-side view of the saddle. Fig. 3 is a right-side view. Fig. 4 is a view showing the girth-strap and the stirrup-leather connected with it. Fig. 5 is an edge view of the stirrupleather.

The particulardesign of this saddle is for the use of ladies, and I will describe it as such, though it may be used for men by a simple change in the tree without affecting the genera] construction.

' case with the old-style saddles.

Let A represent the saddle-tree. This is made of steel, of the shape as shown, having three points or prongs, two of which are made to fit the curve of the horses back and form the fork, and the third to stand erect on one side. This steel fork constitutes the entire saddle-tree, and the leather-work is constructed thereon.

In Fig. 2 is shown the first stage of the operation, the tree being covered with leather as far as shown. The erect point H, called the horn, is covered suitably and servesasimilar purpose to the horns of all side-saddles.

In Fig. 3 is shown the saddle B complete. It is constructed of leather with pl tin or quilted seat,or full quilted, as desired. Havingno side bars or cantle-hoard, the saddle fits directly upon the horses back and the rider sits low down. The advantage of this is that there is no -rock from side to side and no danger of hurting the horses back, as is invariably the The rear portion of the saddle, or the seat, has no frame whatever, and is simply a pad which extends backward from the steel saddle-tree and lies directly upon the horses back.

Itis an objection to the old-style side-saddles that they give the rider an awkward and uncomfortable position, and many have preferred to use an ordinary blanket with stirrup and hand-hold. This saddle herein described gives to the rider a comfortable and graceful position, embodying all the advantages of the blanket alone, while giving a firmer and more secure seat because of the steel tree A. By

having the horn low down the right knee does not rest too high for ease, nor do the hips cramp,

as they are liable to do with a curving tree of the old style.

Upon one side of the saddle, technically known as the off jockey, I place a hand-hold, (J. This is simply a leather handle, to which the rider can hold on in cases of need.

D represents the surcingle attached to the saddle. To the saddle is also attached the stirrup-strap E by being passed through a rim g, F, which is secured to the saddle.

In order to provide for and adjust the play of the stirrup G, I have the following construction: The strap E is provided with a buckle, a, upon one end, which is turned up on the inside to meet the other end, which, when passed through the buckle, forms the strap into an endless band. The stirrup G is hung loosely in the lower end of the strap.

. b is a guide upon the buckle end, through which the outer side of the strap passes. a is another guide embracing both sides near their lower end, and d a similar one near the upper end. the two sides of the strap together when it is moved around through its ring F.

To the buckle end of the strap is secured transversely another strap, H. The operation of this is as follows: By pulling downward the outer side of strap E the buckle end goes upward on the inside and carries with it the crossstrap H. Suppose the rider wishes to have the-greatest limit of play for her stirrup. After having pulled the strap H up as high as it will go, it is passed around under thesurcingle, betweenit and the horse, and buckled tight. This holds the stirrup strap at that point closely to the surcingle and gives a full play to the lowerv end of the strap E. By buckling the strap H at different points upon the surcingle the play These are for the purpose of keeping of the stirrup-strap may be diminished until at its lower end it reaches its minimum.

The adjustment of the stirrup depends upon the taste of the rider.

Iam aware that saddles have heretofore been made with a metal fork covered with leather and without side bars and cantle-board, and hence I make no claim to such construction.

It will be seen that although I have here shown a tree, A, with a horn, by which it becomes adapted for aladys use, I may add more horns, it necessary, ordispense with all ofthem and make a mans saddle.

The principal novelty and invention in the saddle are in the employment of such a slight body or tree for the saddle, placing said tree in the front and using it simply to fit the forward portion of the saddle to the horses back, while dispensingwith allthc cumbersomeframe usually found in saddles.

The under side of the saddle is properly padded and will not injure the horse.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A riding-saddle consisting of the steel fork A, leatherbodyB, provided with the handhold 0, and suitable attaching and footholding devices, all substantially as set forth.

2. In a saddle. the adjustable stirrnpstrap E, arranged with the loosely-hung stirrup G, ring F, and cross-strap H, and the surcingle, substantially as and for the purpose herein described.

3. The metal tree A, consisting of three rigid points or prongs, as described, two of said prongs being made to rigidly fit the curve of the animals back and the third prong to form the horn of the saddle, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

. In witness whereof I hereunto setmy hand.

L. A. REISTER.

Witnesses:

S. H. N OURSE, War. F. Boo'rr-I. 

